The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) intends to issue a sole source award to Chen Instrument Design Inc., 1554 NE 3rd Ave, Camas, WA 98607-1415 to procure a above and belowground vegetation monitoring system. This system must collectively be able to measure root growth and plant photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). The system needs to be interchangeable in that the rhizosphere of multiple plants can be imaged using a single scanner at multiple resolutions and that different chamber heads can be fitted for measuring the leaves of specific vegetation types. Chen Instrument Design is the official manufacturers of plant physiology measurement instruments and are the sole distributor within the U.S.

The award will be issued in accordance with FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i). The applicable North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code that this work falls under is 334513 – (Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables), with a size standard of 750 employees. This notice of intent is for information purposes only. 

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals.  A solicitation will not be issued.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement.  The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each.  

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Jon-Vincent Holden at [email protected].  The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission.  Responses must be received no later than 1:00PM CST April 15th, 2021.